CYPRESS, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilda Cerritos of North Hollywood, Calif., and Natalia Rojas of Arlington, Texas, each received a $25,000 Freedom Award scholarship through the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation Latino Health Scholars Program.
The Freedom Award is a $50,000 grant given annually in honor of individuals that, according to Russell Bennett, vice president of Latino Health Solutions at UnitedHealthcare, "have demonstrated tremendous sacrifice and commitment to make a positive difference in our communities." Last year, the Latino Health Scholars program was expanded to include two $25,000 scholarships for the most outstanding bilingual and bicultural students dedicated to pursuing careers in health care.
"We received an unprecedented number of applications from students all over the country for this year's Latino Health Scholars awards, and we were impressed by not only their intelligence but also the stories they told about what inspired them to pursue careers in health care," said Bennett. "Most of all we were moved by their desire to serve their communities once they graduate. We congratulate Hilda and Natalia and wish them -- and all our Latino Health Scholars award winners (*) -- the very best as they pursue their educational and career goals."
Cerritos, 18, graduated from North Hollywood High School and enrolled in AP classes and college courses at Los Angeles Valley College. She is a member of USC Med-COR, an enrichment program for high-school students, and spent the previous summer volunteering at local hospitals. She is currently attending University of California San Diego where she is majoring in Bio-engineering.
"Having taken part of the summer program in the hospitals, I was even more convinced that being a researcher in genetic diseases is what I would like to become and study for in college," she said. "Working in the hospital gave me the opportunity to witness very unhealthy people due to genetically hereditary diseases, and it made me want to research and, if possible, find cures or treatment for these diseases. Being able to help my patients and the community by finding treatment for diseases would be a dream come true."
Rojas, 18, graduated from Lamar High School where she received a nomination to the National Young Leaders Conference and an honorary spot in the 39th Edition of Who's Who Among American High School Students. Upon graduation, she qualified for the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and the Technical Honor Society. She is currently attending the University of Texas at Arlington where she is majoring in Nursing.
"My goal is to become successful in the medical field and contribute to society through my work as a nurse," she said. "Helping others is an amazing feeling, especially when it comes to such special people as children. For this reason, becoming a pediatric nurse would be the ideal profession for me. I have the ability to care for people in need, which is a way to give back to the community."
This year, the Freedom Award winners were selected by a panel of renowned professionals from the health care, educational and publishing fields including: Elena Rios, M.D., president and CEO of The National Hispanic Medical Association and The National Hispanic Health Foundation; Dr. Leobardo Estrada, member of the AARP board of directors; Lupita Colmenero, president of the National Association of Hispanic Publishers and publisher of El Hispano News; Robert Bard, president and CEO of LATINA Style Magazine; Adela Gonzalez, Ph.D., MPA, vice president of Strategic & Institutional Affairs at the University of North Texas Health Science Center; Britt Rios-Ellis, Ph.D., director of the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation and Leadership Training at California State University, Long Beach; Xochitl Castaneda, director of the California Mexico Health Initiative, California Policy Research Center at the University of California Office of the President; and Lissette Freire, director, Multicultural Product Management, Ovations.
"On behalf of all my colleagues on the Freedom Award selection panel, we were very impressed by the caliber and maturity of all the applicants," said Dr. Elena Rios. "As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we feel gratified that we have made a positive difference in the lives of these deserving youths who are beginning their journey toward realizing their academic and professional aspirations."
In order to qualify for a scholarship, applicants were required to demonstrate a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, be fluent in Spanish and English and show proof of acceptance and enrollment into an approved health care program at a university, community college or accredited technical college.
Since the Latino Health Scholars Program was launched in 2003, more than $550,000 in scholarships has been awarded to deserving students. More information about this year's Latino Health Scholars program is available at www.uhclatino.com.
About United Health Foundation
United Health Foundation is an independent not-for-profit foundation solely funded by UnitedHealth Group. The Foundation provides information to physicians and other health professionals, individuals and communities to support health and medical decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. For further information, please visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
NOTE TO EDITORS: (*) See accompanying news release, "Spanish-speaking bicultural students pursuing careers in health care win $200,000 in scholarships from the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation."
SOURCE United Health Foundation